ROXHOLME JIM ensured the Hayley Keightley kennel will have Category One finalists on successive nights next week with victory in the first semi-final of the Alconex All England Cup at Newcastle on Thursday.

Quickly away, the Derby quarter-finalist was soon in charge against the fence and won well from the Debbie Calvert-trained Payyaway Kane by four lengths in 28.30sec for the 480m trip, securing his place in the final – as did kennelmate Roxholme Poppy in the Yorkshire St Leger the previous night.

Mark Keightley, husband of the trainer, said: “It makes for a busy week next week – but a very good one! We’re delighted with both Poppy and Jim – and I thought Jim was again his game self. He’s a talented individual who leaves everything on the track from the front or when chasing rivals.

“He’s a big overachiever in my book, given he’d be a length inferior to the best dogs in the country early and yet wouldn’t back-run the best dogs off the last bend. However he’s more than held his own in all the Cat One comps he’s taken part in and has been rewarded with a perfect trap four draw now in the All England Cup Final.”

Ice On Fire landed the crunch second semi-final, Jimmy Fenwick’s dog coming through a stern test in brilliant style to secure favouritism for the £8,000 decider.

However, it could have been so different after the eventual winner and trackmate Bramble Reggie (Steve Anderson) came together at the bend after both showed electric early gears to duel for the lead. Ice On Fire emerged in front and went on to score from Nadurra Dutch (John McLachlan) in 28.34sec. Droopys Verve (Angela Harrison) was a close-up third.

Winning trainer Fenwick reported the October 2017 whelp to have come out of the race in fine form and now lines up in his second Category One final after winning the Puppy Classic at Nottingham in August. His career record now stands at ten wins from 13 and he continues to delight the Newcastle handler.

“I thought he ran a phenomenal race in many ways. Reggie looked to just duck inside Ice On Fire and our fellow had his back legs taken away. He was almost sideways on the track, but showed incredible balance to straighten up and then go on. It was testament to this dog’s incredible will-to-win and we’re just delighted with him.

“He’s got trap one in the final and we know he can handle it. He keeps straight and it’s his trapping ability and that pace for the first 50m which is winning him these races, so let’s hope he can do it again. As is usual he jumped six feet in the air when we opened his kennel this morning. That’s always a good sign.”

Fenwick wanted to pay particular tribute to the sponsors who have helped make another showpiece occasion for Newcastle – and greyhound racing. “The sponsors’ commitment to greyhound racing cannot be argued and is brilliant. These showpiece occasions are what this sport is all about – and the supporting competitions help make it.

“Where possible I try to support the Derbys, both English and Scotland, and some of the other major events around the country – so I think it’s right to say well done to likes of Kevin Hutton, Kevin Boon and Pat Rosney who all travelled up to the north east and are all helping these nights special for the sport. It’s what it’s all about.”

There was another Newcastle-trained winner of the third semi-final with the popular and powerful Gazilly Shay turning handy off the second bend, leading his rivals off the third bend, and drawing clear to win by four and three-quarter lengths in 29.04sec. Grogeen Country (Kevin Boon) claimed a place in the final behind him.

Trap draw for Thursday’s Alconex All England Final: 1 Ice On Fire, 2 Nadurra Dutch, 3 Grogeen Country, 4 Roxholme Jim, 5 Payyaway Kane, 6 Gazilly Shay (w).